All traders should begin with Stage 1 through Stage 4 in
order to properly learn the system’s features in both breadth and depth.

During these stages, nothing should be changed. We do not
tempt or distract traders with alternative settings optimized to someone
else’s preferences. Stage 1–4 settings are intentionally
vanilla and generic — a clean foundation that can later
serve as a base for personal customization.

There is no “one size fits all.” Personalized optimization belongs in
Stage 5 and beyond. That process can become an endless pursuit
unless a workable compromise is accepted. In trading, progress comes faster
through structured discipline than constant tweaking.

Stages 1–4: Learn the Framework (Do Not Change Settings)

The goal in Stages 1–4 is to build understanding, structure, and consistency.

• Learn how the system works end-to-end
• Understand signal concepts
• Understand trade manager concepts
• Learn trade controls and interactive / hybrid entry concepts
• Understand what each control does — and why it exists
• Manage trades using the provided structure
• Build consistency without modifying core settings

We do not want to muddy the water by suggesting configuration changes at this stage.
The turnkey workspaces are intentionally designed to teach the framework exactly as it is.

The structure is guided by over 20 years of research, development, and statistical
validation of these methods. As the framework evolves, refinements may occur —
but the learning path remains structured.

Stage 1–4 = Skill Development, Not Optimization.

Stage 5: Evaluation / Performance / Live (Customization Becomes Appropriate)

Stage 5 is where traders may begin personalizing execution
and risk parameters — particularly during prop firm evaluations or live performance accounts.

At this stage, traders should:

• Choose a defined trade plan and instrument
• Select a VIP Workspace
• Use baseline defaults and manage trades interactively using the control sets
• Adjust settings only when necessary
  • Adjust targets and stops to suit personal risk tolerance
  • Modify breakeven, trail triggers, and profit lock-in logic
  • Save adjustments as a new setting and new workspace

Stage 5 is not random experimentation — it is structured refinement.

How to Personalize Targets & Stops (Stage 5 Only)

Targets and stops should be adjusted using the Fib Grid structure.
This ensures changes are based on statistically normalized market structure
rather than arbitrary tick or candle assumptions.

Examples of structured adjustments:

• Move targets nearer or further using Grid percentages
• Use a wider or tighter stop based on Grid normalization
• Example: Change stop from 20% of the Grid to
  10%, and adjust T1 accordingly
  (e.g., 10% instead of 20%)

This allows a workspace to be configured tighter or looser based on psychology,
account size, and risk profile — while remaining structurally consistent.

Static Tick Stops or Adaptive Grid Stops?

When modifying, we use adaptive Grid-based stop and target structures that
normalize to market range. For example: a 10% stop instead of 20%, or
a 5–10% target — rather than arbitrary candle- or tick-based levels.

The AFT approach avoids static tick or candle stops because markets expand
and contract. Grid-based normalization adapts dynamically to volatility.

Traders may elect their own path and experiment on SIM or replay,
but structured adaptive logic remains the core philosophy.

Learn more here:

AFT8 – Setting Stops and Targets

Additional Trade Management Controls (Stage 5 Only)

• Adjust breakeven triggers
• Modify trailing stop behavior
• Accelerate or delay risk lock-in logic
• Configure advanced features such as Target Lock-In % and 5-stage trailing stops

Progression Summary

Stages 1–4 = Learn the framework exactly as provided.
Stage 5 = Tailor risk and execution within the framework —
or continue using the VIP workspace as designed.

Mastery comes from progression — not from skipping steps.